Mark Ledlin can’t compete with the prince of peace in his memorable new single Jealous Of Jesus — showcasing today on Tinnitist.
Religion and romance are two topics that can cause plenty of division. But country singer Ledlin has thrown a curve ball into the mix with the witty angle behind his latest single — though according to the Vancouver singer-songwriter, the song’s genesis (pardon the pun) came not in church but from a discussion with a friend in a bar.
“The song walks a bit of a line in regard to being jealous of something so many believe in, but it’s really not (about) religion at all,” Ledlin says. “It’s about two people trying to become one and overcome what most can’t. I’ve been through the situation of someone being so invested in something that it’s hard for them to see any other view but theirs.”
Jealous Of Jesus, written by Ledlin, Dan Botch and Garrett Ward, paints a picture with sharp turns of phrases, alongside a deliberate but delectable arrangement that builds from the opening verse onwards. It also delicately toes the line between country and pop.
Born in Garmish-Partenkirchen, Germany (a place notable for its world-class ski slopes), Ledlin developed a knack for writing in English class, which provided an outlet to express himself. But that itch took a backseat while Ledlin played professional hockey in Germany for a decade with the likes of the Rostock Pirhanas and Bayreuth Tigers.
Ledlin hung up his skates for good earlier this year. But by then, the music career was already in full force. In 2020, he appeared on the German version of The Voice, ending up in the third round and mentored by songwriter Michael Schulte. In 2022, his premiere single Drink About Me hit two million streams and made his name known in country music circles. Thus far, he has north of six million streams globally.
Jealous Of Jesus was written in Vancouver, where Ledlin crafted the melody and opening verse before entering the studio. After hearing enhanced mixes over a few months, the single was fully fleshed out by a Nashville drummer, resulting in “the beast of a song” Ledlin fell in love with.
Ledlin, who released his debut EP Cowboys Wear Sneakers Too in 2023, has played sold-out shows in Vancouver and other B.C. locales, sharing the stage with the likes of Lainey Wilson, Dallas Smith, Riley Green and Kameron Marlowe. He’s currently working on his next EP.
Check out Jealous Of Jesus above, hear more from Mark Ledlin below, and follow him on Facebook, Instagram and TikTok.
